Airbrush Painting (Watson-Guptill Artist's Library) [Paperback]

Miquel Ferron (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1989

This straightforward guide covers the basics of airbrush painting, beginning with a brief history of the medium and then introducing the various components and workings of the airbrush itself. Equipment care and maintenance are discussed along with common problems and solutions. The author then moves on to demonstrate the fundamental techniques including how to make straight lines, curves, and circles, flat and graduated backgrounds, and how to use masks. He explains how to create simple, three-dimensional forms and follows this with clear, step-by-step demonstrations of eight different subjects ranging from a rose to a woman's face. Photographic retouching is discussed in some detail, and the book includes examples of airbrush paintings by an array of artists.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Spanish

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill (October 1, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823001687
• ISBN-13: 978-0823001682
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 0.2 x 10.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #658,339 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Useful Guide, March 4, 2003

By 

Greg Hughes - See all my reviews

This review is from: Airbrush Painting (Watson-Guptill Artist's Library) (Paperback)

I remember buying my first airbrush over a decade ago. A Thayer and Chandler model. As a naive teenager, I was so eager to get stuck in, I didn't realize the paint was supposed to be diluted into liquid form first. Much to my frustration, nothing happened. That was before I bought this book, succinctly titled "Airbrush Painting".

Like most books about art technique, "Airbrush Painting" (1988)starts off with a list of materials and equipment, the tools of the trade employed by both fine artists and illustrators. This is followed by diagrams, troubleshooting and step by step projects, before finishing up with a gallery of work by the professionals, all of which are guaranteed to awe the novice. Out of the list at the back, Chris Moore was the only name I recognized.

Most people will agree that the airbrush is an intimidating tool at first, but this book explains a lot about it in easy-to-understand language. In fact "Airbrush Painting" is very similar to another book I own called "Creative Airbrushing" by Graham Duckett. Both covers show a hand holding the airbrush over a piece of highly finished artwork. In fact, the books are almost identical in content and format.

Despite the advances in desktop publishing, I like to think that airbrushing is not old hat. Airbrushing is a useful skill to have when the computer breaks down. In the past people have expressed reservations about the airbrush, believing that it's a form of "cheating". I find this amusing. Like all technology, the airbrush is meant to help the artist complete the job quickly and more efficiently. It makes life easier. Is it cheating when a farmer uses a tractor instead of a plough?

Just as the car hasn't stopped people riding horses, the computer hasn't stopped artists using the airbrush. The technique (which dates back to the time of cavemen) is just as popular today. Whether you're an artist or an illustrator, "Airbrush Painting" is a valuable book to have.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Just not that impressed., July 8, 2004

By 

Ron (Daytona Beach, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Airbrush Painting (Watson-Guptill Artist's Library) (Paperback)

I'm a true bigginer in airbrushing and I bought this book along with two others and this one just isn't very impressive. Its about as thick as a thick magazine and it really doesn't go into much detail. I only paid $3 for it used so i DO think I got my monies worth. I'm not dissapointed just not impressed. Could be because the other two books i ordered were just so much better. Big Book of airbrushing and Complete Studio Handbook. Most impressed by the Complete Studio Handbook from my beginners perspective.

3.0 out of 5 stars Airburshing Okay, July 10, 2010

By 

Jessila (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Airbrush Painting (Watson-Guptill Artist's Library) (Paperback)

I read a lot of good reviews on this book for starting out with airbrushing and unfortunately I did not find it helpful. The pictures were nice, but that is about all.